Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh. Romans 13:14Encouragement for the Bride of Christ to be prepared for His return.

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

My Song

Today, I would like to share my post from January 1 on Layout for Today, entitled My Song.

This is unrelated to that devotional, but I had the strangest dream last night! In it, a friend and I were going to the airport together. (I rarely travel, so that in itself was odd--she also lives nowhere near me, so that was another strange thing.) She was extremely agitated that we were going to miss the plane, but I was not worried except to be concerned for her being so upset. Suddenly we were on train tracks, and she was running down them, saying this was the quickest way to get to the airport. I was running after her, yelling for her to get off the tracks and that we CANNOT get to the airport this way, but she couldn't hear me. Then I caught up with her, and the next thing I knew we were at the airport.

What a bizarre dream, right?! The message I got out of it is that when I am exhorting people to prepare for Jesus' return, even though my intention isn't to panic anyone, that could be the result. I would like to emphasize that none of us are going to be perfect until the moment Jesus has finished His perfect work in us. (Philipp. 1:6) He told us not to worry. (Matt. 6:34) We can only live one day at a time. If we try to relive the past or handle tomorrow in advance, it will only result in frustration and stress, which is not helpful at all, but detrimental. We need to deal with one moment at a time, always keeping the goal in mind. (Philipp. 3:12-15) So I hope that when I am trying to encourage people (including myself) to live for Christ, whole-heartedly devoted to Him, that the message being received is just that--encouragement. If anyone is convicted by the Holy Spirit of changes they need to make, I hope they will feel relieved to have "woken up" from that slumber in time to make changes--but not scared. He knows us better than we know ourselves. His timing is perfect, and He loves us. My point is that we should love Him back, not that we should be afraid.

All we really need to do is abide in Him (John 15) and He will do the rest. ❦ The reason for this blog is that the distractions of the world are so overwhelming that most people don't stop and think about whether or not they ARE abiding. (Matt. 13:18-23) Ruth is one of our best examples of the bride of Christ. Her mother-in-law Naomi during parts of the story appears to represent the Holy Spirit. Ruth pledges her faithfulness and devotion to her and her God. (Ruth 1:16-17) Ruth didn't say this and then turn back to Moab. She continued on with Naomi to Bethlehem, lived with her there and ended up working faithfully in Boaz' field. (Ruth 2:23) She followed the advice of Naomi. (Ruth 3:5) As we know, she ended up marrying Boaz, who was a type of Christ. (Ruth 4:10, 13) Notice Ruth was “purchased” by Boaz, as Jesus bought us with His precious blood. (1 Cor. 6:19-20, 1Pet. 1:17-19)

Boaz "went into" Ruth (often referred to as "knowing" in the Bible - Gen. 4:1, 25), which is what the Holy Spirit does with us (spiritually, of course–this is why our bodies are temples of the Lord–our spirits are contained in our bodies - Eph. 2:19-22). (John 14:15-16, 20-21, John 15:1-8, Rom. 8:9-11) Remember, Jesus doesn't know the five foolish virgins who were not ready to go in to the wedding and realized it too late (Matt. 25:10-13, Rom. 8:16-17). The foolish virgins thought they were ready. They thought the bridegroom knew them, but he didn't. Their lamps went out due to neglect–they thought one "filling with oil" (a one-time profession of faith, not backed up by works which are the fruit of the Spirit and evidence of saving faith) was all they needed. Faith comes from hearing the word. (Rom. 10:17) It’s also how we come to KNOW our Lord and how to please Him. (Matt. 25:3-4, 8, 1Thess. 5:14-24, Col. 1:9-12, Heb. 2:1) They were justified (declared innocent) when they believed, but they didn’t pursue holiness (sanctification) without which no one will see the Lord. (Heb. 12:14-28, Eph. 5:1-12)

We were told to hold fast our confidence and persevere in our faith. (Luke 8:15, Rom. 5:3-5, 1Cor. 13:6-7, 1Cor. 15:1-2, 2Thess. 1:3-5, 1Tim. 6:11-12, 2Tim. 3:10-17, Heb. 3:5-6, 14, Heb. 10:35-39, Heb. 12, James 1, 2Pet. 1:5-12, Rev. 2:2-3, 3:2-3, 2:19, 3:10, 14:12-13) Our relationship with our Lord is like a marriage, which was intended to last forever, in faithfulness. (Eph. 5:22-32, 1Cor. 6:12-20, 2Cor. 11:2-4, Rev. 19:7-8, Mal. 2:13-16, Matt. 19:8) In our earthly physical examples, does it bode well for the marriage if a couple has no relationship after the ceremony, or is unfaithful to one another? God does surely sanctify us and is the only one who can, but our part is to love and serve Him until the end, which includes obeying. (Luke 6:46-49, John 14:15-18, Rev. 2:4) When He tells us to love one another with our deeds not only our words, would He expect anything less from us toward Him? Let's repent of being lukewarm and return to our first love! (1John 3:16-18, James 2:14-17, Rev. 2:4-5, 3:15-17)

Ruth bore a son who was King David's grandfather (Obed, father of Jesse, who was the father of David). We bear fruit of the Spirit. (Matt. 13:23, John 15:16) We later hear Jesus say similar words as Ruth said to Naomi, in a reversal of roles, to Mary of Magdalene--the first to see Him after He rose from the dead. (John 20:17-18) In case you're interested, there are other similar "mirrors" in the Bible as well. The bride in Psalm 45 is wearing a colorful robe, bringing to mind Joseph's coat. (Psa. 45:13-15, Gen. 37:3) I'll do an article on Joseph being a type of Jesus in a future devotional. In Revelation 22:17, both the Spirit and the bride invite people to come and drink of the free water of life, as Jesus does more than once. (John 4:13-14, John 7:37-39, Rev. 21:6)

We have another example in Rebekah, who was invited by Abraham's servant to come follow Him to go and be Isaac's wife (sight unseen--sound familiar? John 20:29, Luke 10:23-24) Another picture of the Holy Spirit doing the work of the Father to obtain a bride for His Son. (Genesis 24) Please read it all--it's so beautiful! Remember, we already know that Isaac is a type of Jesus from when Abraham's faith was tested. (Genesis 22) Please read it to refresh your memory of this amazing event. I would like to point out that Rebekah is even mentioned in Genesis 22:23. Abraham told the servant NOT to bring Isaac to where Rebekah lived, but to go and get her (and he didn't force her, which we also have a choice). (Gen. 24:8, Josh. 24:15, Matt. 6:24, John 12:26) Her family had wanted her to stay another ten days, but she had agreed to go right away. She didn't just SAY she would go--she left her family and went. She followed the servant representing the Holy Spirit. (Gen. 24:55-58, 67) That's what we're supposed to do–follow and heed the Holy Spirit's guiding as we serve and obey our Lord and Savior, which is what He became when we drank of the cup of the new covenant. (Matt. 10:37-39, Matt. 26:26-28, Rom. 10:8-10, 1Cor. 11:23-32) Many people say that you don’t have to serve Jesus to believe in Him, but I think that anyone who calls Him Lord but does not obey Him is a liar–in other words, do they really believe? (1John 2:4-6) Is He the Son of God, deserving of all of our allegiance, devotion and love, the One who died to save us, or not?

We are not all called to physically leave our families as Rebekah was, but we are not to put ANYONE or ANYTHING before God. (Matt. 22:36-38) It's not popular to say today, but that DOES include our families if they would come between us and God. The bride in Psalm 45:10-11 is told to forget her family. You will love Psalm 45, which is about Jesus and his bride, if you haven't read it before. We have verification that it IS about Jesus in Hebrews 1:8-9. (Ps. 45:6-7) Nevertheless, the point is not that we should neglect our families (1Tim. 5:8), but to be careful just as in everything else that they don't take God's place in our lives or hearts. Jesus said His family is the one who does the will of His Father. (Matt. 12:46-50, Mark 3:31-35, Luke 11:27-28, John 15:14)

Saying we will go with someone or "have their back" but not actually doing so shows a lack of integrity doesn't it? Regardless, it's not the kind of loyalty God deserves from us. (Luke 9:62, John 6:66-69) Saying we love someone but not showing it is pretty useless, isn't it? Some people grow up without hearing the words "I love you," but their parents or other caretakers do things for them that show it. We would all like to hear those precious words often, but the truth is that if we hear them constantly and yet our basic needs are not taken care of, or we are physically mistreated, then what good are those words? Could they even be TRUE in that case? So with Christ, professions of faith and adoration are nice, but if they're not backed up with our actions and attitudes, then what good are they? (John 14:21) We are the salt of the earth, which is a preservative. (Mark 9:49-50, Ex. 30:34-37, Lev. 2:13) Sugar can be used as a preservative as well (anyone who makes jams and jellies out of fruit knows this), but Jesus didn't use that example. Probably because He didn't want us sugar-coating the truth to the point that it rots people's teeth (or souls). Let's encourage each other even if it seems as though most people don't care. (Matt. 24:12-13, 2Cor. 13:11, 1Thess. 5:11, Heb. 3:13, Ezek. 3:21)

Welcome

Be Ready

Kids' scouting clubs have a motto to "always be prepared." Excellent advice, right? There's one thing that is CRUCIAL for ALL of us to be prepared for, and that's eternity. No one escapes their appointment with their Maker, whether it's upon death or upon the return of Jesus. (Heb. 4:12-13)

The Bible contains very helpful descriptions of what we should "put on" (i.e. clothe ourselves in) to be like Christ in Eph. 6:10-20 and 1 Thess. 5:5-8 (full armor of God), Col. 3:5-17 and Eph. 4:17-24 (the new image/self being renewed by knowledge of the Creator).

This page is dedicated to helping believers be ready. Unbelievers cannot please God, because that requires faith. (Heb. 11:6, Rom. 8:7, John 3:18, John 3:36) However, when we believe that Jesus is our Savior AND Lord, that means something more than being saved from hell. (Rom. 10:8-11) If we LOVE Him, that means something more than being saved from hell. If we LOVE Him, it's the beginning of following Him, obeying Him, serving Him. (Matt. 16:24-27, John 12:25-26, John 14:15-24, 2 Tim. 2:19-22) God has prepared wonderful things for those who love Him. (1 Cor. 2:9)

If you are a believer, but your life doesn't appear any different than the world around you, then this is your wake-up call to examine yourself in light of the truth in the Bible--to be sure that you really are clothed and ready for our Savior's return. We need to encourage each other in these last days to keep our lamps burning brightly for the world so they can see to escape the darkness and seek refuge in our God, salvation through the only Savior, while they can.

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour." Matthew 25:1-13

The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. Romans 13:12-14

We believers (brothers and sisters in the Lord, the Body of Christ) need to encourage one another to walk "in a manner worthy of our calling." God has work for us to do. (Eph. 2:8-10, John 15:8, Heb. 10:23-25, Titus 3:8)

Layout for Today

You are welcome to visit my other blog, which I began in 2014. I post a digital scrapbook page with a Bible verse for each day. There are also many devotionals I have written available in free pdf downloads on the page tab there, or if you are interested in reading without downloading, click on the label "message" on the sidebar. Thanks!

About Me

I live in Wisconsin and have been married thirty years. My husband and I have two adult children. In my walk with God, I have progressed from always believing in God in general, to believing Jesus is the Son of God as a child, to believing I need Jesus as my Savior as a wife and mom with young children, to finally realizing that Jesus is my all in all--more worthy than anyone and anything in the universe--as a wife and mom of grown children. Jesus told the church at Laodicea that He despises lukewarm believers and that was what I was for too many years. I attended church, volunteered, donated money and goods and held moral beliefs, but I didn't read my Bible daily or pray unceasingly. My prayers were mostly about protection of loved ones. I wanted benefits from God more than I wanted God for Himself. It was very sad, but I didn't really know it at the time. So my quest is to wake up other lukewarm believers who are like I was, while there's still time to avoid bitter regret (and no doubt tears) over their lack of love for our Savior. I believe we are in the end times, and we need to encourage each other to be strong and faithful. I enjoy studying the Bible in depth and spend much of my "free" time doing so. Thanks for visiting me here and reading my thoughts on the Scriptures and their application to the times we live in.